Why I hate the 4th of July
Why I hate the 4th of July
No, I do not hate America. But I do hate far too many of my neighbors who are really testing my patience
The most dreaded thing is when the 4th of July holiday falls mid week. While every year has plenty of idiots firing off fireworks, there is a special hell for mid-week 4th of July holidays. That means that starting the weekend before, the nightly displays of dipshits who whinge about inflation fire off metric ass-loads of illegal fireworks that absolutely petrify my dogs.
I had some hopes that this year might be somewhat subdued, since about 3 weeks ago a local storage facility (one of those Public Storage places) went up noisily in flames and lots of pops and bangs as it caught fire. The fire was so bad that it completely destroyed the entire building, and two days later, when I drove by, it was STILL smoldering, and being attended to by firemen.
Yikes.
It was bad, very bad, but it at least pointed the police at the registered renters of the storage units, and follow raids uncovered another 38,000 pounds of fireworks, all illegal1, many from out of state, and even plenty that came from overseas.
Yes, that is the building that burned, and if you had anything of value stored in that building, you are shit outta luck.
So, I was hopeful that the fireworks would be less this year.
But that was a falsely placed hope.
Starting on Friday night (June 30) at about 9 PM the fireworks began, rising to a crescendo. The start of a brutal weekend, that would escalate.
At about midnight, I ended up on the floor helping my terrified hound get through the chaos.
Saturday, it was worse, starting a little earlier, they lasted longer, and again, I ended up on the floor. Naturally, that led to a less than restful evening of sleep.
You can guess what Sunday night was like. Yes, it was worse, and we ended up sedating the poor pooch. No fun.
Last night, July 3, not yet the 4th, and it was fucking BONKERS.
The serious fireworks began about 8, I started the night on the futon in the spare bedroom, but at about midnight it got InSaNe. Shit was going off that literally shook the house. I could tell that because I was on the floor, and I felt the shuddering of the house.
Yes, my motherfucking neighbors are firing off fucking 8” mortars from their driveways, and the blackpowder lifting charge causes a shock wave that is enough to rock houses and set off car alarms 2 blocks away.
My wife remains on Nextdoor2, where there were plenty of discussions of veterans who were asking people to refrain from the deluge of fireworks because of their PTSD. Of course, plenty of the “patriots” thanked them for their service, but then would say that their service is being honored with the pyrotechnics that they were shooting off. 100% insensitive shitbags.
So, once again, I am exhausted from lack of sleep, sore from sleeping on the floor, and not enjoying the 4th of July holiday.
Next year the 4th falls on a Thursday, and I am not looking forward to the chaos that will ensue. But will it be before the 4th, or after the 4th that is insane. Knowing this place, it will likely be the entire week.
I am tired of people bitching about inflation, and not having enough money, but then laying in a few thousand dollars of illicit fireworks to feed their fragile egos.
n.b. - I live in San Jose, California, and all fireworks here – even the “safe and sane” variety – are illegal. This is due to the elevated fire risk, and any fucking moron who can see how dry the hills are around here should know better.
I briefly joined Nextdoor when we moved here, but I quickly deleted my account when I realized how racist and intolerant my neighbors were. It is a cesspool of hatred, biases and just awful behaviors.